Quality infrastructure refers to all the fields of metrology, standardization, certification, testing, quality management system and accreditation that have a bearing on conformity assessment and quality.
The National Consultation was facilitated by Ms. Sanya Alleyne, Legal Officer at CROSQ and Mr. Fulgence St. Prix, Technical Officer- Standards at CROSQ. The purpose of this consultation was to review and discuss the Draft Regional Policy for Quality Infrastructure, specifically highlighting the gaps in the National and Regional objectives and implementation strategies of the Policy. Participants were also provided with guidelines on how to access information on standards. The International Organizations for Standardization (ISO) defines a standard as a document that provides guidelines, requirements, specifications, or characteristics that can be used consistently to ensure that products, materials, processes and services are fit for their purpose. The consultation concluded with the identification of International and Regional Standards corresponding to priority needs in efforts to prepare the SKNBS Plan for Standards Development/Adoption for the next 2-3 years.
The SKNBS, located at La Guerite, Basseterre, has the major responsibility of protecting the environment, health and safety of consumers. Its activities also focus on preparing, promoting and generally adopting standards on a national, regional or international basis relating to structures, commodities, materials, articles and other things offered to the public commercially, hence promoting standardization, quality assurance and simplification in industry and commerce.